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                  Championship Spades (TM) v5.1c
            32-bit Edition for Windows 95, 98, and NT
           Copyright 1998 by Dynamic Visual Solutions
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GAME DESCRIPTION:
For avid players, Championship Spades v5.1 is an exciting card game that
features rich sounds, good layout, fast play, a MIDI jukebox of songs,
autoresume, and help with tutorials.  Play your favorite variations such
as Jokers, 2S, Swap, Blind, and Cut.  The polished interface is unique in
using 8 customizable personalities that adapt and learn.  Choose from 14
decks, 15 tables, and 104 sounds.  Evaluate free for 30 days.  <ASP>

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
MIN: 486 or better, 8MB memory, 6MB disk space, mouse, 256-color video.
PREFER: Pentium, 16MB memory, Wave-table sound card w/MIDI support.
spades32 is a 32-bit program that only works on Windows 95, 98, and NT.
spades16 is a 16-bit program that will work on Windows 3.1 and OS/2.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 400+ IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CURRENT 5.1 RELEASE:
1. Added 'taunt' sounds unique to each player on win, lose, sink, etc.
2. Players now show emotion and 'smile' after winning a trick.
3. New options: Neg end score, Low Club, 2C lead, autoplay last.
4. New options: Deal animation, Nil disable, more min bid options.
5. New options: 'Exact trick bonus', 'Autorestore' and 'Swap on'.
6. Extensive statistics now tracked for up to 4 human players.
7. 62 bidding improvements and 113 play improvements, many in end-game.
8. Autosave/restore of games (including hand, score, bags, dealer).
9. More options via 'Other...' in score summary including replay & report.
10. Swapping option for Nils added and computer can now hint and swap too.
11. Blind Nils expanded and computer can now bid Blind Nil too.
12. Custom MIDI directory, Lead:High, and Min Bid if Nil options improved.
13. Game speed now set by slider control for fine tuning of game pace.
14. Nicer delay for unregistered users is now 5 + 2 secs/day of evaluation.
15. FAQ added and Version and Mastering Tutorial split out of Help file.
16. Better presentation and packaging for mass marketing.
17. Get out your frustrations: Throw pies at your opponents or partner!
				   
UPGRADES/UNINSTALL:
We highly recommend that people upgrading from older versions first uninstall
the previous version.  Even if you uninstall, your name, statistics, and
register key will be automatically transferred over.  To uninstall the 32-bit
version, choose Start->Settings->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs and select
Championship Spades.  16-bit has an uninstall icon created in the Games group.
If standard uninstall fails, you may just delete the Spades directory manually.

INSTALLATION FROM A SELF-EXTRACTING ZIP (EXE) FILE:
Simply double-click on the EXE.  Select Setup and then specify the directory to
install.  After installation, the game will create an icon and allow you to 
start playing.  You can now safely delete spades32.exe (or spades16.exe) to 
conserve disk space.  If you have problems, try unzipping the EXE first using
WinZip or Pkunzip and then follow the diskette installation instructions below.

INSTALLATION FROM A STANDARD ZIP FILE:
Extract the Zip file to any directory and then double-click or 'Run' setup.exe
(not from a DOS prompt) and the game will install itself and create a game icon. 
You can now erase the original spades32.zip (or spades16.zip) file.

INSTALLATION FROM SETUP DIRECTORY OR DISKETTES:
Run setup.exe and follow the prompts to install.  You can specify your own
installation directory and group, if you desire.  You also specify the type and
size of the installation you desire: minimum, custom, or full (recommended).

7 QUICK TIPS FOR GOOD LUCK:
1. Change the game speed and enable autoplay under the Options...General dialog.
2. Quickly set the difficulty level of opponents using the Difficulty menu.
3. Practice using the undo, rebid, and replay options under the Practice menu.
4. View each of your opponent's playing styles by clicking on their face.
5. Tryout the 300+ game variations (cutthroat, Blinds, swaps, different leads)
6. Use the keyboard number keys to quickly bid and play.
7. Use Shift-Ctrl-B (boss key) to quickly minimize game and turn off sound. 
   Use Shift-Ctrl-N or option menu to skip to the next soundtrack. 
   Use Shift-Ctrl-P to have the computer play against itself for a whole game!
   Use popup menu 'Throw pie' command to vent out your frustrations!

REGISTRATION:
This game is NOT freeware.  The author has spent a great deal of time making a
quality Spades game.  If you have enjoyed this, please register so you can help
fund improvements.  You have 30 days to evaluate this game and either register
it or uninstall it.  Registered users receive a key to disable this delay screen,
personalization of their copy, an extensive play tutorial, lifetime free upgrades,
licenses for both versions, participation in the multiplayer trials, and freedom
from guilt and good karma for supporting shareware over corporate developers.
For details, see the registration section from the Help menu in the game.  To
order, print the order.txt file or visit http://www.dq.com/spades.htp#register
The price has permanently been lowered to $29 ($19 with discount)!

LICENSE, WARRANTY, VENDOR REDISTRIBUTION:
Details on this stuff can be found in the vendinfo.diz file.

VERSION HISTORY:
See version.txt file for a detailed version history of improvements.

FREQUENT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO COMMON PROBLEMS:
See faq.txt file for detailed answers to most common problems.

FEEDBACK, SUPPORT, QUESTIONS:
Please e-mail spades@dq.com with feedback and ideas for improvement.